BUSINESS DIGEST

Published: February 17, 2000

Hewlett-Packard Earnings Beat Analysts' Estimates

Hewlett-Packard reported first-quarter earnings that exceeded Wall Street estimates by two cents, excluding costs associated with the spinoff of Agilent Technologies, which operates a test and measurement equipment business and reports separately today.

Hewlett-Packard reported its results after the close of the market, but a strong quarter had been anticipated. Shares of Hewlett-Packard closed at $129.375, up $4.0625. [Page C2.]

The Future of the 'Peanuts' Brand

Experts in the field of corporate identity are divided over the future of the ''Peanuts'' brand following the death of its creator, Charles M. Schulz. Some say they believe that Linus, left, Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang can remain relevant to new generations if the brand is tended carefully by the Schulz estate. Others say the brand must inevitably suffer the fate of characters from comic strips like ''Pogo,'' which faded from popularity. Stuart Elliott: Advertising. [C8.]

Fox Challenges 'Millionaire' Show

Fox's two-hour Tuesday special ''Who Wants to Marry a Multimillionaire?'' featured a parade of would-be brides competing to be chosen by a multimillionaire and culminated in an on-the-air wedding presided over by a Nevada judge. Drawing stunning ratings it attracted more young viewers -- especially female viewers -- than even the ABC show, ''Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.'' [A1.]

Nasdaq Gains, but the Dow Slides

Technology stocks stood their ground but the rest of the market fell as investors awaited January inflation figures and Alan Greenspan's assessment of the economy with its implications for Federal Reserve monetary policy. The Dow Jones industrial average lost 156.68 points, to 10,561.41, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index gained 6.88 points, to 4,427.65. The Standard & Poor's 500 declined 14.38 points, to 1,387.67. [C10.]

Aeroflex to Move to Nasdaq

Aeroflex will announce today that it is moving its stock listing from the New York Stock Exchange to Nasdaq, becoming the first company to make that move. [C11.]

Housing Starts Rise Unexpectedly

Construction of new homes and apartments increased 1.5 percent in January on the strength of a surge in multifamily dwellings. Economists had expected a 4 percent decline. [C24.]

Viacom Earnings Beat Expectations

Viacom reported a sharp rise in its fourth-quarter earnings, beating Wall Street expectations by a penny. Revenue was up 7 percent, to $3.57 billion. Sumner M. Redstone, the chairman, cited growth at the cable channels MTV and VH1 as well as revenues from movie hits. Shares of Viacom slipped $3.50, to $55.75. [C8.]

Sudanese Venture Faces Sanctions

The U.S. has placed sanctions on a multinational oil venture in Sudan, a project that critics say has helped the government there finance a religious war against southern rebels. [C4.]

2 Drugmakers Report Earnings

Two British drugmakers that merged last month to create Glaxo SmithKline, posted their 1999 earnings with Glaxo Wellcome rising just 3.8 percent last year, on a 6 percent increase in sales. SmithKline, by contrast, reported a 13 percent rise, on a 10 percent increase in sales. [C4.]

Saudi Concerns on Oil Prices

Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, signaled that prices have climbed too high and may need to fall to ensure stable growth in the world's economies. [C10.]